Supervisory Chaplain - Service Chief

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Marshall Corner (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

VA Boston Healthcare System in Brockton, MA is seeking a Supervisory Chaplain (GS-13) to lead spiritual care across the campus. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, and requires Master of Divinity, ecclesiastical endorsement, and board certification.

The role includes supervision of chaplain staff, coordination with transition teams and families, and building partnerships with VA stakeholders to deliver compassionate care in a pluralistic setting.

Qualifications

• Master of Divinity or equivalent educational degree from CHEA/ATS-accredited institution.
• Ecclesiastical endorsement dated within the past 12 months from the official endorsing body.
• Board-certified chaplain (BCCI or reciprocal US body); 4 CPE units may be required.
• Non-board-certified applicants may be temporarily appointed with conditions and must pursue certification.
• U.S. citizenship required; eligible for federal employment.
• English language proficiency in speaking and writing.

Responsibilities

• Provide spiritual care and bereavement support across VA facilities and programs.
• Liaise with transitioning service members and their families.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with VA stakeholders and community partners on a national level.
• Supervise chaplain staff and manage program operations in a large, multi-venue setting.

Education

Master of Divinity

Job description

This Supervisory Chaplain position is located at the VA Boston Healthcare System, Brockton, Massachusetts. The position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• Education: Applicants must possess a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent educational qualifications as evidenced by a graduate-level theological degree from a college, university or theological school accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. NOTE: For applicants who do not possess a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent educational degree, an approved educational equivalency review from a nationally recognized board certification body for chaplains (see paragraph d) is acceptable.
• Ecclesiastical Endorsement: In accordance with 38 C.F.R. § 17.655, ecclesiastical endorsement is a condition of employment as a VA chaplain. An individual must possess and maintain a full and active ecclesiastical endorsement to be employed as a VA chaplain. Applicants must have an ecclesiastical endorsement, dated within the past 12 months. Ecclesiastical endorsements must be from the official national endorsing authority of the applicant's/employee's faith group or denomination. Ecclesiastical endorsement is a written official statement, by the official national endorsing body of the faith group or denomination, certifying that the applicant is in good standing with the applicant's faith group or denomination; and stating that the individual is, in the opinion of the endorsing body, qualified to perform the full range of ministry required in the VA pluralistic setting. Loss of endorsement will result in removal from the GS-0060 Chaplain series and may result in termination of employment. The National Chaplain Service maintains a list of approved endorsing organizations that can be found here: National VA Chaplain Service SharePoint.
• Board Certification:
  • Certification: Applicants must be a Board-Certified Chaplain certified by BCCI ® or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI ®. Board Certification that requires 4 units of CPE is qualifying. The National Chaplain Service maintains a list of approved certifications found on the National VA Chaplain Service SharePoint. Note: Provisional or Associate or other status as a candidate for board certification does not meet the board certification requirement for the FPL GS-11 or above.
  • Exception for Non-Board-Certified Chaplains
    • Non-Board-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements, may be given a temporary appointment as a Chaplain under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) not to exceed 2 years.
    • Non-Board-Certified Chaplains must provide proof of completion of 4 units of CPE as required by an approved board certifying body.
    • Non-Board-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified Chaplain at or above the FPL.
    • Non-Board-Certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. Temporary appointments of non-board-certified Chaplains may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.
• Failure to Obtain Board Certification: In all cases, Chaplains must actively work to meet requirements for board certification starting from the date of their placement into the occupation. At the time of appointment, the HR Office staff in collaboration with the supervisor will provide the employee with the written requirements for board certification, including the time by which the board certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming board certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain board certification during this time may result in separation from employment.
• Loss of Credential: Management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain any of the required certifications (board certification, ecclesiastical endorsement, or when applicable a specialty certification) of the duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation which may also result in separation from employment.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grandfathering Provision

All Chaplains employed in VHA under permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard (07/03/2025), are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/assignment held, including positive education and certification, where applicable. For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment-specific requirements in this standard, but meet the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply:

• Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the FPL, or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
• If an assignment above the FPL level requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements, employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be reassigned or promoted.
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
• Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional certification(s) that meets all the basic or assignment-specific qualification requirements of this standard must maintain the required credential(s) as a condition of employment in the occupation.

Grade Determinations:

Supervisory Chaplain, GS-13:

Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade, (GS-12).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to effectively liaison and build relationships with transitioning Service members or family members.
• Skill in assessing need for basic and complex spiritual care or bereavement care across multiple programmatic venues.
• Knowledge of chaplain practice, policy, standards, and strategic planning in relationship to a large multi-layered, multi-organizational program (e.g., U.S. Military Bases or National Cemeteries).
• Skill in maintaining relationships with appropriate offices and individuals to keep them abreast of significant accomplishments, program changes, and other substantive events.
• Ability to develop and sustain strategic partnerships with key internal and external VA stakeholders and community partners on a national level.

Preferred Experience: Clinically trained, board certified, experienced Supervisory chaplain in leadership and management, endorsed to work for VA.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: ****See Education